Leaf Angle as a Criterion for Optimizing Irrigation in Forest Nurseries: Impacts on Physiological Seedling Quality and Performance after Planting in Pots

Seedling species with different architectures, e.g., mean leaf angles, are often subjected to the same irrigation management in forest nurseries, resulting wasted water and fertilizer reduced seedling quality. We aimed evaluate whether volumes applied tree angles affect physiological quality nurseries and, consequently, performance after potting. submitted nine four daily regimes (8, 10, 12, 14 mm). In nursery, following attributes were considered assess quality: potential, transpiration rate, SPAD value, chlorophyll a b, anthocyanins, carotenoids, total nutrient content. After potting, we evaluated height stem diameter over 120 days. Leaf angle can be used as criterion for optimizing avoiding wastage, increasing measurements combined concurrent assessments of traits helpful further understanding effects variation regime on For positive an volume 8 mm is sufficient increase Conversely, seedlings negative show opposite response, requiring largest (14 mm) quality, except when area small concentrated upper half stem, which facilitates access substrate thus satisfies requirements. all species, up days planting pots, effect that provides greater growth at end nursery phase not overcome by other applied.